Traders angry over loss of 25 parking spaces

THE decision to remove 25 spaces from the car park at Grande Rue, St Martin's, has been attacked by business owners. They have gone to make way for a footpath which will give children safer access to the school.

Barry Lloyd, owner of Rainbow Hair Studio, said the decision was ridiculous.

'It was already full before,' he said, adding that it would be mayhem once the places fill up when the new school term starts.

Several customers have already been late for an appointment.

'So many customers are driving round and round trying to find a place to park,' he said.

'I don't know where these people come up with these ideas. It's absolutely ridiculous.'

He added that a neighbour had offered 6ft. of his land to accommodate the footpath, which Mr Lloyd believed would have solved the problem and left the much-needed spaces untouched.

Robin Herbert, manager of St Martin's Pharmacy, did not know the full reasons behind the work but said it appeared that the decision was a 'short-sighted move'.

'It hasn't been thought out. It seems to me for the 10 minutes of the day when the car park is busy with pedestrians, it's a total waste of space. The whole island is short of car parking space. Cutting it down more is not going to help.

'St Martin's School has its own car park, so why are they not using that?'

Laurie Benoist, the director of Ogier's of St Martin's, said loss of space was less of an issue for his customers but an inconvenient expense for his 20 members of staff.

'Parking in St Martin's is a thorny issue - there's quite a strong feeling.'

He said that he approved of the safety aspect of the new footpath but said that he felt the logistical side had not been thought through.

The parish authorities were contacted about the issue and Mr Benoist said that many businesses could be affected.

'You are going to be cramming in all these cars and there are going to be fewer spaces for parents to park in.

'Perhaps parking arrangements for the school could be changed.'

Lian Bisson, who works in St Martin's, uses the car park every day. She has been relatively unaffected by the change but said that was because she started work early in the day.

'For those who come later, it's really inconvenient. It will be a bit of a problem with the loss of space. It's packed all the time anyway.

'Something does have to be done for the children, though.'